Rhimes, whose company ShondaLand delivers three of television's most successful dramas -- "Grey's Anatomy," "How to Get Away with Murder" and "Scandal" -- received the Sherry Lansing award, named after the former studio chief, one of the first women to earn that title.

"It's an incredible honor," noted Rhimes. "I mean, I was very shocked. My speech is kind of all about the fact that I was very shocked. But I was very shocked to even hear that they wanted to give me the award, to hear that Sherry had picked me, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sherry Lansing. When I first came to Hollywood 20 years ago and was in film school, Sherry Lansing was already somebody that I revered. So to suddenly be in a place where somebody's saying, 'We want to give you an award in her name,' is amazing."

Rhimes is pretty amazing herself, with her company providing an entire evening's primetime lineup for a broadcast network. Stateside, ABC airs all of Rhimes' current series on Thursday nights.

"I don't know if we're owning (the night) or renting it," Rhimes said. "I just try to fill the space with good programming. I enjoy the fact that people get to spend an entire night with us, which is exciting. But, mostly, we're just trying to make three, amazing, good shows every week on a consistent basis."

At 44, Rhimes is a writer-producer of two series, producer of one more, and raising three daughters.

"No, I'm not doing it all," she said. "I think the secret is I didn't create 'How to Get Away with Murder.' The secret is I've been spending time, the past 10 years, growing really amazing writing talent, and nurturing those people. And now we have in Pete Nowalk, an amazing show creator, who spent all this time in ShondaLand, who is doing a fantastic creative job."

Some who work for Rhimes have referred to "ShondaLand" as a life perspective, not a just company or a place to work -- but a world where people aren't defined by gender or color or race or sexual orientation or age.

How does Rhimes describe it?

"Oh, God, I don't know," she replied. "For me, it's the place that I spend most of my time. For me, it's where my family is -- both my work family and my home family. My kids come to work every day. Everybody spends all their time there. And, for us, it's home."

No re-use or sale of any Film/TV/Music/Performance clips without clearance

"It's an incredible honor. I mean, I was very shocked. My speech is kind of all about the fact that I was very shocked. But I was very shocked to even hear that they wanted to give me the award, to hear that Sherry had picked me, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sherry Lansing. When I first came to Hollywood 20 years ago and was in film school, Sherry Lansing was already somebody that I revered. So to suddenly be in a place where somebody's saying, 'We want to give you an award in her name,' is amazing."

ABC Studios

6. Key art: "Grey's Anatomy"

7. Key art: "How to Get Away with Murder"

8. Key art: "Scandal" (season three)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 10 December 2014

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Shonda Rhimes/Producer, on owning ABC's Thursday-night primetime with her shows "Grey's Anatomy," "How to Get Away with Murder" and "Scandal":

"I don't know if we're owning it or renting it. I just try to fill the space with good programming. I enjoy the fact that people get to spend an entire night with us, which is exciting. But, mostly, we're just trying to make three, amazing, good shows every week on a consistent basis."

ABC Studios

10. Edited promo excerpt: "How to Get Away with Murder"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 10 December 2014

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Shonda Rhimes/Producer, on delivering three shows and continuing to be available to her casts, take care of herself and attentive to her family:

"No, I'm not doing it all. I mean, I think the secret is I didn't create 'How to Get Away with Murder.' The secret is I've been spending time, the past 10 years, growing really amazing writing talent, and nurturing those people. And now we have in Pete Nowalk, an amazing show creator, who spent all this time in ShondaLand, who is doing a fantastic creative job."

12. Setup shot TV producer Shonda Rhimes speaking to reporter

13. (Reporter: "What is ShondaLand?")

SOUNDBITE (English) Shonda Rhimes/Producer:

"Oh, God, I don't know. For me, it's the place that I spend most of my time. For me, it's where my family is -- both my work family and my home family. My kids come to work every day. Everybody spends all their time there. And, for us, it's home."

"This season was really special," Washington said Friday (1 MAY 2015) on the arrivals line at a "Scandal" Television Academy event for both fans and Emmy voters.

Washington continued, "I think because it was our fourth season, I feel like Shonda gave herself permission to open the show up and move into some areas that we don't traditionally traffic in."

The show earned considerable media attention for its March episode "The Lawn Chair," in which the father of an unarmed black teenager killed by a white police officer demands justice. The episode, inspired by the August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., was the first in the series to make race of Pope, a black woman, a significant plot element.

"We dealt with race in ways that we've never dealt with, in such a specific way," Washington said. "And I'm really honored that I get to work for a woman that courageously goes into those places. And, for her, her version of wearing a T-shirt that says 'Black Lives Matter' is writing 'The Lawn Chair' episode. She gets to change the world, and we get to be a part of her magical Shondaland."

Washington said the season's most challenging episode was "The Run," in which Pope is kidnapped.

"That whole episode, I was like, 'This is nuts. This is like I'm getting to shoot a mini-movie in the middle of our season, where I'm not working any of our regular cast. I'm not working with any of my regular wardrobe, which is my protective armor in this character. The locations are different.' Everything about the episode just forced me to dig deeper into who Olivia is, and who she could be in that context. And I could not believe it. I couldn't believe that we were going to go on that journey with her. And then to find out that it was all in a warehouse. It was amazing!"

With two new episodes left to air, there's a lot for Rhimes and her team to at least address before wrapping season four. But Washington wasn't revealing specifics.

"Oh, man, the finale? When we got to the end of the day of the table read for the finale, I just looked at Shonda and said, 'For real? How to we go from there? This is nuts! This is nuts!' And it's so exciting to be in season four and still feel that way at the end of an episode, you know?"

The "Scandal" season-four finale is set to air 14 May stateside on ABC.

"This season was really special. I think because it was our fourth season, I feel like Shonda (series creator Shonda Rhimes) gave herself permission to open the show up and move into some areas that we don't traditionally traffic in."

ABC - No re-use/re-sale of any TV clips without clearance

10. Still image: Kerry Washington (left) and Chris Mulkey (right) in a scene from the season-four "Scandal" episode, "The Lawn Chair"

11. Still image: Courtney B. Vance in a scene from the season-four "Scandal" episode, "The Lawn Chair"

12. Still image: Kerry Washington in a scene from the season-four "Scandal" episode, "The Lawn Chair"

AP Entertainment

West Hollywood, Calif., 1 May 2015

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress:

"So we dealt with race in ways that we've never dealt with, in such a specific way. And I'm really honored that I get to work for a woman that courageously goes into those places. And, for her, her version of wearing a T-shirt that says 'Black Lives Matter' is writing 'The Lawn Chair' episode. She gets to change the world, and we get to be a part of her magical Shondaland."

16. Still image: Kerry Washington in a scene from the season-four "Scandal" episode, "The Run"

17. Still image: Kerry Washington in a scene from the season-four "Scandal" episode, "The Run"

AP Entertainment

West Hollywood, Calif., 1 May 2015

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress:

"That whole episode, I was like, 'This is nuts. This is like I'm getting to shoot a mini-movie in the middle of our season, where I'm not working any of our regular cast. I'm not working with any of my regular wardrobe, which is my protective armor in this character. The locations are different.' Everything about the episode just forced me to dig deeper into who Olivia is, and who she could be in that context. And I could not believe it. I couldn't believe that we were going to go on that journey with her. And then to find out that it was all in a warehouse. It was amazing!"

ABC Studios - No re-use/re-sale of any TV clips without clearance

19. TV clip: "Scandal" (season four)

AP Entertainment

West Hollywood, Calif., 1 May 2015

20. (Reporter: "Tell me what you can tell us about the season-four finale without having to kill us.") SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress:

(Laughs.) "Oh, man, the finale? When we got to the end of the day of the table read for the finale, I just looked at Shonda and said, 'For real? How to we go from there? This is nuts! This is nuts!' And it's so exciting to be in season four and still feel that way at the end of an episode, you know?"

"We, tonight, are doing a live table read of tonight's episode. So, all of the actors in the episode are sitting on the stage with our scripts, and we actually read the episode to the audience the way we do at table reads every week, before we start a new episode. So, it's such a great opportunity because we all enjoy working together so much. We're like a theatre company, the way we support each other and adore each other and respect each other. People get to see that tonight. They get to see how we work. There is a full company of actors, in live time, reading tonight's episode."

ABC Studios

9. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 16 May 2013

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress:

"The most jaw-dropping moment of the episode for me, personally, was the very, very last line of the episode. When I saw it on the page, I didn't even know how to make it come out of my mouth. It was such brand-new information for me. We haven't had any knowledge of Olivia's personal life outside of the White House and Pope and Associates. So, it's very exciting for me and I'm dying to get more information about this father of hers."

"As you've discovered, he's sort of the lead of B6313. He needs to talk to her. He's running, from my point of view, he's running the country. He's that power behind the power. He's the kind of guy that you never hear about. He's the guy that (one of Olivia's associates) Harrison (Wright, played by Columbus Short) refers to when he says, 'She runs with the big dogs.' And that's who this guy is."

ABC Studios

12. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 16 May 2013

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress:

"I think, unlike last year, when there was really one question, 'Who is Quinn?' I think this year there are a lot of questions. What's happening to Jake (Scott Foley)? What's going on with Olivia and her family? What's going on with the first couple in the White House? I mean, there's just tons and tons of questions this year."

14, Setup shot actor Guillermo Diaz

15. Setup shot actor Scott Foley

16. Setup shot actor Jeff Perry

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Perry/Actor, on the fate of his character, Cyrus Beene:

"I still don't know if this presidency, and Fitz in it, can truly thrive. And I really don't know if I have any relationship left with my two best friends: Liv and Fitz."

ABC Studios

18. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 16 May 2013

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Goldwyn/Actor, on the fate of his character, U.S. President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Thomas Grant III:

"I believe that Fitz's presidency is going to survive. But I'm Fitz, so what can I say? I also believe that Fitz and Livvy are going to make it. (Laughs.) So, that shows how stupid I am. You know, I have faith. You know, the way that this ends seems sort of, for Fitz, seems sort of tragic and painful. And, yet, I know, knowing Shonda (show creator Shonda Rhimes) that can't be the whole story."

ABC Studios

20. Montage of scenes from season two of "Scandal"

STORYLINE

'SCANDAL' CAST PERFORMS LIVE FOR THE ACADEMY

Forget the DVR.

Not this time. Not after this long of a wait.

Millions of fans actually watched the season-two finale of the ABC drama "Scandal" the old-fashioned way: on a TV screen, as it was fed from the network to their local affiliates.

But a crowd of approximately 700 at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood experienced this "Scandal" episode differently Thursday night.

The audience, comprised primarily of Emmy voters and their guests, got a live performance by the majority of the show's cast members.

Star Kerry Washington and company sat in chairs on the Academy stage facing the audience, and recreated the episode's so-called "table read."

They delivered dialogue and stage directions directly from the finale's script.

"Scandal" spins around crisis manager Olivia Pope (played by Washington), a political fixer who could use some fixing herself.

On the arrivals line, Washington said, excepting the presence of hundreds of onlookers, this reading wasn't all that different from those the "Scandal" cast and crew do for each episode.

"It's such a great opportunity, because we all enjoy working together so much, we're like a theater company," added the actress, who, like many of the "Scandal" principals, has logged considerable time on the stage.

If you have not seen the "Scandal" season-two finale, venture ahead at your own risk. What follows details what Washington called the "jaw-dropping" last scene of the episode.

Done, apparently once and for all, with her long on-again off-again affair with U.S. President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Thomas Grant III (Tony Goldwyn), Olivia is ready to start life anew. As she opens the door to begin her morning jog, Olivia is greeted by a swarm of reporters, asking variations of, "Are you the president's mistress?" A dazed Olivia is briskly escorted into a limousine, where she's greeted by the mysterious Rowan (Joe Morton).

"Hello, Olivia," he says.

"Dad?" she responds.

End scene and episode.

"When I saw it (the word "Dad"), I didn't even know how to make it come out of my mouth. It was such brand-new information for me," she continued. "We haven't had any knowledge of Olivia's personal life outside of the White House," Recalled Washington.

"Scandal," last week's highest-rated TV drama, was recently renewed for a third season, and is expected to return with new episodes in September.

In a post-performance conversation with the audience, show creator Shonda Rhimes gave up few answers about the fates of her "Scandal" characters.

"I think there are a lot of questions," Washington said. "What's happening with Jake (Scott Foley)? What's going on with Olivia and her family? What's going on with the first couple in the White House? I mean, there's just tons and tons of questions this year."

Fifty people, including Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, were charged Tuesday (12 MARCH 2019) in a scheme in which wealthy parents allegedly bribed college coaches and other insiders to get their children into some of the nation's most elite schools.

Federal authorities called it the biggest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department, with the parents accused of paying an estimated $25 million in bribes.

Students from the University of Southern California said they "felt offended" and described the admissions scandal news as "awful."

Tanish Gupta is an USC international student from India studying engineering management.

"It's sort of a disrespect to my hard work that I put in, because I mean, just because you're rich doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, right?" said Gupta.

Shikhar Goyal also came from India to study at USC. He is majoring in engineering management. He said it's difficult for international and American students to get accepted to the prestigious university.

"Students who are here, like, attending the cinematic arts - I have friends that just have a 2% of acceptance rate. So I think it's really competitive and the people who are just getting through with bribes, they shouldn't be allowed to stay," said Goyal.

Loughlin, who was charged along with her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, appeared in the ABC sitcom "Full House."

Loughlin and her husband allegedly gave $500,000 to have their two daughters labeled as recruits to the USC crew team, even though neither participated in the sport. Their 19-year-old daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli, who has a popular YouTube channel, attends USC.

Fiona Byrd was on the campus attending a tour with her mother. She's a junior in high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico and said USC is one of her top choices. She said it was "very upsetting" to hear about the scandal but also felt deceived by one of her favorite YouTubers, Olivia Jade.

"When it's someone that I've looked up to on YouTube for so many years as, like, a role model," said Byrd, "I've heard them talking about this school and how they love it and how, you know, they, like, talked about how she does care about the education here and she's not just coming to party here and then to know that she didn't work to get here and none of it was, like, real."

Court documents said Huffman paid $15,000 that she disguised as a charitable donation so that her daughter could take part in the college entrance-exam cheating scam.

Court papers said a cooperating witness met with Huffman and her husband, actor William H. Macy, at their Los Angeles home and explained to them that he "controlled" a testing center and could have somebody secretly change her daughter's answers. The person told investigators the couple agreed to the plan.

Macy was not charged; authorities did not say why.

Some parents spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and some as much as $6.5 million to guarantee their children's admission, officials said.

Los Angeles, 12 March 2019

1. Wide pan left of University of Southern California campus

2. Still image: Screen grab of AP story that reads "Authorities say actresses Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman among those charged in college admissions scheme"

"To be honest, it's awful. It's sort of a disrespect to my hard work that I put in, because I mean, just because you're rich doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, right? There are people who, you know, there are people who worked harder than me to be but it's all legit, right? We worked our, you know, butt off to be here and just because some parents are rich and their kids don't actually deserve to be here, because you don't put in that much, if you don't put in that much hard work, you shouldn't be here in the first place, right? You know, some people are, maybe some people don't have money and that's why they're not here and they are better than, you know, all of us and to be honest it's totally unfair to them as well."

5. STILL IMAGE: Screen grab of AP story that reads "Court documents say Huffman paid $15,000 that she disguised as a charitable donation so her daughter could take part in the college entrance-exam cheating scam."

Los Angeles, 12 March 2019

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Alice Xu, gerontology USC student from China:

"We do a lot of preparations, like, to get the admission to USC and our parents pay a lot of money for us to afford our tuition fee. So like, if I heard that someone do not enter USC without any like, preparation or the fake, the fake grades, it's quite unfair, I think."

"So, it was pretty hard for I think each and every international student and not only for the international students - students who are here, like, attending the cinematic arts. I have friends that just have a 2% of acceptance rate. So I think it's really competitive and the people who are just getting through with bribes, they shouldn't be allowed to stay."

8. Wide, push in of USC Tommy Trojan statue

9. STILL IMAGE: Screen grab of AP story with picture of Lori Loughlin and daughter Olivia Jade that reads "TV Stars And Coaches Charged in College Bribery Scheme"

Los Angeles, 4 October 2017

10. STILL IMAGE: Olivia Jade arrives at the 5th annual People Magazine "Ones To Watch" party at NeueHouse Hollywood

Los Angeles, 12 March 2019

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Fiona Byrd, High School student from Albuquerque New Mexico:

"There's reasons there's schools like this set up and the admissions process is set up the way that it is, and to know that there are people just scamming their way in is really upsetting, especially when it's someone that I've looked up to on YouTube for so many years as like a role model. And to know that that's... like, I've heard them talking about this school and how they love it and how, you know, they, like, talked about how she does care about the education here and she's not just coming to party here and then to know that she didn't work to get here and none of it was, like, real and it's all sort of just this fake, like, play made on by her parents - like, seemed like she's so smart and she worked so hard when really, she didn't. That's really upsetting and, I don't know, it's not a great role model that I've been looking up to, so that definitely changes my opinions on her as well."

Los Angeles, 4 October 2017

12. STILL IMAGE: Olivia Jade, left, and her mother Lori Loughlin arrive at the 5th annual People Magazine "Ones To Watch" party at NeueHouse Hollywood

"I think what her parents did and what her did (sic) will result in some serious problem. For example, if she came here because of the donation, she may hardly catch up with the education. So what should she do? Maybe she will continue for let others to do her homework, let others go to her exam. So maybe her education, the grades in USC will be fake. And if she goes into the society someday, someone will find out this and if she can get that step, maybe the problem will cannot go back."

1. Screen shot of AP story of actress Felicity Huffman pleading guilty to college scheme

West Hollywood, 19 July 2019

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Angela Bassett, actress:

"I think that she, I found her to be very remorseful and ready to take, to handle whatever the next steps are. And that's the best of how we deal with these missteps that we all make in our lives."

SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Arquette, actress:

"Yeah, nobody is perfect in this world. And I do think she's genuinely sorry -- not because she's in trouble, only, I think, actually looking at the reality of the big picture of why does this matter? All of that, I think, that's, very painful. I think she feels terrible about her participation in it."

ARCHIVE -- Boston, 3 April 2019

3. Various of Felicity Huffman with her brother arriving at federal court

West Hollywood, 19 July 2019

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Cathy Schulman, producer:

"Felicity Huffman plays a character in our film who is flawed. She's a mother who mothers to the end of the earth. She's a mother who believes that her own actions can make anything possible for her own child. And she finds herself at the end of the movie, you know, this character, sort of crying to her husband and saying, 'How could anybody love me?' And he says, 'You're lovable, because you may have sharp edges and you may have flaws, but you have so much love to give.' And the Felicity that I know and love and worked with and is a person who has had a hard year experiencing a flaw. And we wish you the best. And we don't feel that it overshadows our film in any way, shape or form because mothering is complicated and we do what we need to do."

ARCHIVE -- Boston, 3 April 2019

5. Various of Felicity Huffman with her brother arriving at federal court

His son O'Shea Jackson Jr. was recently a USC student. Jackson was majoring in screenwriting when he decided to leave college to pursue his acting career.

He said when he first heard the news, he wasn't shocked or surprised one bit.

"It's something that's been happening for a long time now and you know, somebody just got their hands caught in the cookie jar. I had a couple of my Trojan buddies say, 'Why didn't they go the regular route and just put their name on a building?'" he joked. "It hurts because I know the struggle that my friends had to do, to not only go through USC but to graduate and fight for tuition and things like that and I know that somebody else didn't get their opportunity because of this. I left USC to become an actor. I didn't graduate. There are so many powerful members of the Trojan family that put in the work, that put in the sacrifice and to feel like we were cheated from one of them, yeah it hurts but it's all about – it happens. It just does."

Since authorities arrested dozens of wealthy parents and coaches at elite universities last month, four of them have flipped and are now helping the government build its case against others. They have promised to testify for prosecutors, if asked, in the hopes of getting a light sentence.

They include a married couple, who have agreed to plead guilty to charges that they bribed their daughters' ways into the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.

"You know, I wasn't shocked, you know, I wasn't surprised. It's something that's been happening for a long time now and you know, somebody just got their hands caught in the cookie jar. I had a couple of my Trojan buddies say, 'Why didn't they go the regular route and just put their name on a building?' It hurts because I know the struggle that my friends had to do, to not only go through USC but to graduate and fight for tuition and things like that and I know that somebody else didn't get their opportunity because of this. I left USC to become an actor. I didn't graduate. There are so many powerful members of the Trojan family that put in the work, that put in the sacrifice and to feel like we were cheated from one of them, yeah it hurts but it's all about – it happens. It just does."

It didn't take the Ray Rice elevator video to get Kerry Washington talking about domestic violence.

In fact, it was the day before news outlets across the country began looping images of NFL running back Rice punching out then-fianc� Janay Palmer that the "Scandal" actress was filming a public-service announcement about a rarely discussed element of domestic abuse.

"For many, many of those cases - 98-percent of those cases -- the financial abuse is what keeps a woman trapped," Washington said. "Not being able to control your finances, destroying a woman's credit, jeopardizing her job."

Washington rarely talks to reporters about anything outside of work. She keeps her private life so private that many in Hollywood were surprised by the news in June 2013 that she had married former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, with whom Washington welcomed their first child, daughter Isabelle Amarachi, last April.

She said she's taken guidance in her new role as working mother from her mother and "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes.

"I have really amazing role models and she-roes who have found ways to balance work and home life, and I am just looking to them and trying to live my life in the amazing abundance of blessings that I have in my life right now," Washington said.

"Scandal," for which Washington has earned two Emmy nominations, returns for a fourth season Sept. 25, and Washington promises season-three cliffhangers will be quickly addressed. When last we saw her character, Capitol Hill fixer Olivia Pope, she was leaving on a jet plane for points unknown.

"I can tell you (that) you will find out where that plane is going," Washington teased at last month's Emmy Awards. " And I can tell you there's going to be a lot of (actress Darby Stanchfield's character) Abby this season. I've heard it's been called, 'The Year of Abby.'"

One of Olivia's so-called "gladiators," Abby is a victim of domestic violence.

"Darby Stanchfield and I, as actors, talk a lot about, 'What was that like when Olivia stepped in and took a tire iron to some guy's knee to save her girlfriend?'" Washington noted. "'What were the stakes that would make her do something like that?'"

That "Scandal" storyline has resonated with many viewers, Washington said. "Women watch that (Abby's story) and say to Darby when they see her in public, 'I'm so glad to know that you guys aren't shying away from that issue.'"

Washington was asked to do the domestic abuse PSA by The Allstate Foundation, which had already put into motion an initiative called "Purple Purse," to raise awareness of domestic abuse money matters. Washington said the facts and figures they presented were such eye openers that she immediately agreed to serve as the campaign's spokesperson.

And then Washington give Allstate something more, designing the symbolic purse to raise funds for the initiative. Just 500 will be produced, with some given to celebrities to promote the initiative at red carpet events. Others will be given to charities, some of which are expected to use them as fundraisers with money going to abuse victims.

As Washington held one of the purses in her lap, she explained, "For me, one of the things I wanted to combine was this idea of elegance and classic-traditional design, with something kind of funky and fashion forward," acknowledging she was going to have to find a few new frocks that work well with purple. Not that that will be a problem.

Washington has been among top designers' favorites since at least 2004, when she appeared in the Oscar-nominated "Ray." Rungs in her climb to the A-list included roles in "The Last King of Scotland" (2006) and "Django Unchained" (2012).

But it was "Scandal," which debuted in 2012, that made Washington a household name and now has given her the star power to both promote causes, and produce, as well as act, in film and television projects.

"I feel like I need to work on a whole new list of goals," Washington said. "So many of my desires and visions and dreams have already come true."

"So, today we spent the last few hours shooting a public-service announcement for the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign, and what we're doing is raising awareness around financial abuse. I was really shocked to learn that one in four will be a victim of domestic violence. For many, many of those cases - 98-percent of those cases -- the financial abuse is what keeps a woman trapped. So, not being able to control your finances, destroying a woman's credit, jeopardizing her job. All of those factors keep women trapped in those unhealthy relationships. So, the Allstate Foundation has made a commitment to raise money and awareness around helping women be more financially independent and financially literate. So, they can get out of those unhealthy situations."

7. Still image: In this 22 May 2013 file photo, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha smiles for photographers as he leaves the practice field at an NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif. Asomugha married actress Kerry Washington on 24 June 2013 in Hailey, Idaho. E! was the first to report the nuptials more than a week later, and posted a copy of the couple's marriage license online. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) 8. Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the Golden Globe Awards Sunday 12 Jan 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on in Beverly Hills, Calif. Washington and husband Nnamdi Asomugha welcomed their first child, daughter Isabelle Amarachi, in April. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) 9. Still image: Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the Oscars Sunday 2 March 2014 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Washington and husband Nnamdi Asomugha welcomed their first child, daughter Isabelle Amarachi, in April. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 7 September 2014

10. Close-up shot actress Kerry Washington with pull out to reveal photographer taking pictures 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress, on what it was like to go back to work on "Scandal" after giving birth to daughter Isabelle Amarachi:

"You know? I have really good role models. My mom has always been a working mom. ("Scandal" creator) Shonda Rhimes is an amazing working mom. I have really amazing role models and she-roes who have found ways to balance work and home life, and I am just looking to them and trying to live in the amazing abundance of blessings that I have in my life right now. It's quality problems to have so much good stuff."

ABC Studios

12. Teaser for the stateside season premiere of "Scandal," Thursday 25 Sept.

"Season-one clip from "Scandal"/Available from ABC Studios home entertainment"

ABC Studios

14. Season-one clip from "Scandal" (2012), where Abby (Darby Stanchfield) recalls details of how Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) got her out of a violent domestic relationship

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 7 September 2014

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress, on the relationship between the "Scandal" characters of Abby, a domestic-abuse survivor, and Olivia Pope, who helped Abby get out of her violent relationship:

"Darby Stanchfield and I, as actors, talk a lot about, 'What was that like when Olivia stepped in and took a tire iron to some guy's knee to save her girlfriend? What were the stakes that would make her do something like that? And I think the fact that women watch that and say to Darby when they see her in public, 'I'm so glad to know that you guys aren't shying away from that issue.' And throughout Shona's shows, she doesn't shy away from the difficult stuff. That's important to me. We have to be willing to talk about the stuff that really happens in life. And whether a television show inspires it, or a purse inspires it -- whatever it is that makes it more easy to talk about: great."

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress, on designing the Purple Purse, and how it reflects her own style:

"For me, one of the things I wanted to combine was this idea of elegance and classic-traditional design, with something kind of funky and fashion forward. So, I tried to use this tweed, which is more of a traditional purse/handbag element, with the leather and the handle, and so there is a nice combination of uptown-downtown, which is a little bit Kerry."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 May 2013

19. Actress Kerry Washington poses for photographers at the "Scandal" season-two finale event, held at The Television Academy in North Hollywood, Calif.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 7 September 2014

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress, on enjoying the moment, but continuing to dream:

"I don't know. I feel like I need to work on a whole new list of goals. because so many of my desires and visions and dreams have already come true. So, I'm really so filled with gratitude. I'm starting to produce more now. And I'm very excited about that, because I'm working on projects both for me and not for me, for other people. So, the opportunity to continue telling stories, both in front of the camera and behind, if I can just do, that, I'm going to be really happy."

21. Tilt up from Purple Purse to actress Kerry Washington posing for photographer

It's going to be a long, cold winter for the gladiators, and perhaps even longer and colder for actor Joe Morton, who plays the debatably diabolical dad Rowan Pope to his political-fixer daughter, Olivia (Kerry Washington).

After the "Scandal" episode airing stateside tonight, the series won't return until late February -- a stalling scheme being used by networks for a number of their most successful series to avoid holiday-time ratings doldrums and also dodge competition from the upcoming winter Olympics.

During that period, Morton may discover if Rowan has been put on ice.

"The way this is working for me on 'Scandal,' is that they hired me for six episodes at the end of season two, as a recurring character," the actor explained. "I am still a recurring character on the show. And we will find out, I think, after this hiatus, what anybody's idea is of what they want to do with this character, and with me, when we come back."

When last we left "Scandal", Sally had whacked her own husband, Huck was torturing Quinn, and Liv was sending her evil mama to a continent far, far away.

Oddly enough, Morton said that wacky world feels like home.

"For my money, right now, 'Scandal' is exactly where I'd like to be, mostly because one of the things I had kind of floating around in my mind was that I was looking for a really smart bad guy," said the 66-year-old Morton, whose Hollywood credits date back to 1970. They include director John Sayles' revered art-house classic "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984) and as well as the blockbusting "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991).

But treading the boards is the thing for the Bronx-born Morton, a Tony-nominated Broadway vet who frequently has returned to work on the stage.

"What is wonderful about working on 'Scandal' is that, I believe, almost every member of the cast working on that show are all theatre actors," he noted. "So what that gives us all is, certainly, a very familiar vocabulary, so that we can work much more efficiently with one another. And even the directors who come in understand they have actors who come from the theatre. So, again, it sort of impacts on the way that they deal with us."

Actor-to-actor, Morton perhaps deals most frequently with "Scandal" star Washington, who, over the summer, earned an Emmy nomination for her work on the series. Wednesday, she earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination for the role, and, on Thursday morning, could well earn a Golden Globe nod.

"If Kerry never wins an award for her entire career, but she works until she feels she doesn't want to work anymore, then she's got the biggest award ever," Morton said. "If she's working, doing the kinds of roles that she wants to do and saying the kinds of things that she wants to say as an actress, the award is just the icing on the cake. And more power to her and I wish all those good things happen to her. But, again, I think if what she finally ends up with is a full, rich career, then she's gotten the best of all worlds."

With 40-plus years of hopping from live-theater to television to film roles, Morton knows what he's talking about.

But he doesn't know everything.

"When you play a character as seemingly evil as Rowan is, yes, you always have to think: 'Either they are going to let this character survive, or they're going to kill him,'" he explained. "So, we have to see what happens."

"Scandal" airs stateside Thursday 10 p.m. on ABC.

No re-use or sale of any Film/TV/Music/Performance clips without clearance

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

1. TV clip: "Scandal" (season two finale)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 11 November 2013

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor - on the status of his employment on "Scandal":

"The way this is working for me on 'Scandal,' is that they hired me for six episodes at the end of season two, as a recurring character. I am still a recurring character on the show, I think. And we will find out, I think, after this hiatus, what anybody's idea of what they want to do with this character and with me, when we come back."

ABC Studios

3. TV clip: "Scandal" (season three opener)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 11 November 2013

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor:

"For my money, right now, 'Scandal' is exactly where I'd like to be, mostly because one of the things I had kind of floating around in my mind was that I was looking for a really smart bad guy. You know, I'd been looking for it for a couple of years. Literally this thing sort of falls in my lap and I think, 'Perfect.'"

ABC Studios

5. TV clip: "Scandal" (season three)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 11 November 2013

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor, on being a stage actor on "Scandal":

"What is wonderful about working on 'Scandal' is that, I believe, almost every member of the cast working on that show are all theatre actors. So what that gives us all is, certainly, a very familiar vocabulary, so that we can work much more efficiently with one another. And even the directors who come in understand they have actors who come from the theatre. So, again, it sort of impacts on the way that they deal with us."

"If Kerry never wins an award for her entire career, but she works until she feels she doesn't want to work anymore, then she's got the biggest award ever. If she's working, doing the kinds of roles that she wants to do and saying the kinds of things that she wants to say as an actress, the award is just the icing on the cake. And more power to her and I wish all those good things happen to her. But, again, I think if what she finally ends up with is a full, rich career, then she's gotten the best of all worlds."

ABC Studios

9. TV clip: "Scandal" (season three)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 11 November 2013

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor - on the fate of Rowan Pope:

"You know, when you play a character as seemingly evil as Rowan is, yes, you always have to think: Either they are going to let this character survive, or they're going to kill him. So, we have to see what happens."

Political fixer Olivia Pope was free, if only for a few sweet seconds.

As she prepped for a morning run, Olivia had undone the ties binding her heart to the married U.S. president.

And, at long last, the one piece of evidence of an election-rigging scandal called Defiance was finally gone.

That very moment, she should have reached for highest ground. But, instead, Olivia stepped out her door, down into the street and into swarm of reporters.

"Is it true that you're having an affair with President Grant?" one asked. "Are you the president's mistress?" shouted another.

Within seconds, Pope was whisked into in the back of a limousine, sitting across from man that "Scandal" viewers had known only to be a powerful and ruthless military mystery man, Rowan.

"Hello, Olivia," he said.

Olivia gasped, then asked, ""Dad?"

Fans will finally have an answer as the third season of "Scandal" debuts Thursday (3 October) in the United States and Canada.

"Episode one: I can say this," noted Dan Bucatinsky, the actor who two weeks ago won "Scandal" its first Emmy award. On the hot nighttime soap, Bucatinsky portrays the journalist-husband of the openly gay White House chief of staff.

Bucatinsky continued, "(Episode one) takes place minutes after we left Olivia Pope, about 15 minutes after we left Olivia Pope in the last episode."

It's been four-and-a-half months since Rowan was revealed to be Rowan Pope (played by veteran character actor Joe Morton), father to the focal point of all things "Scandal," Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington).

Following that revelation, "For a while it was, 'What's going to happen next?' And then the scripts poured in and then both Kerry and I got really excited about what's about to happen."

A season-three, episode-one clip released by ABC shows Rowan and Olivia in a verbal battle. "You're being stupid about this," he tells Olivia, as she steps off a plane and walks toward a limousine. "The White House will destroy you," he warns Olivia as she gets in the car.

Just as it pulls away, she replies, "That's what mom used to tell me about you."

But this season's "Scandal" isn't all about family affairs.

Also in the first episode, "We will, in fact, learn who leaked the information about her (Olivia) being the mistress of the president," Bucatinsky spilled. "And what I know about Cyrus (Jeff Perry) and James (Bucatinsky) is that it is going to be more of the same and more -- in terms of the functional and dysfunctional couple, marriage, fathers that we are, and that's why it's so much fun to play."

After some uncertainty for the actor, Scott Foley, who portrays one of Rowan's operatives, will return for season three. But his character, Jake Ballard, won't be getting the Hollywood treatment. In the season-two finale, Rowan had Jake thrown into deep, dark prison cell. "There had been talk about me staying on when I first started," Foley explained. "It was not confirmed. It was not a guarantee. And I'm glad that I'm now here."

Not so happy: Huggable Huck (Guillermo Diaz), the torture expert who might have trained Quinn (Katie Lowes) a little too well. "I don't think he thought that she was going to end up loving it so much, and get so into it. ... She's tasted blood and she likes it."

Added Morton, "So, it's been very exciting. I think people are going to be thrilled with what they're about to see. Certainly because it's (creator) Shonda Rhimes, it's not going to be anything anybody's expecting. So, have a good time everybody."

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

1. Film clip: "'Scandal' -- The Complete Second Season'" (Season Two Finale)

Los Angeles, 19 August 2013

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor: "Episode one: I can say this. It takes place minutes after we left Olivia Pope, about 15 minutes after we left Olivia Pope in the last episode."

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

3. Film clip: "'Scandal' -- The Complete Second Season'" (Season Two Finale)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 18 September 2013

4. (Reporter: "What has your summer been like since the world heard Kerry utter the word 'dad' to you?")

SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor: "I suppose, for a while, it was 'What's going to happen next?' And then the scripts poured in and then both Kerry and I got really excited about what's about to happen."

ABC Studios

5. TV clip: "Scandal" (Season Three Premiere)

Los Angeles, 19 August 2013

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor: "We will, in fact, learn who leaked the information about her (Olivia) being the mistress of the president."

ABC Studios

7. TV clip: "Scandal" (Season Three Premiere)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 19 August 2013

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor: "And what I know about Cyrus (Jeff Perry) and James (Bucatinsky) is that it is going to be more of the same and more -- in terms of the functional and dysfunctional couple, marriage, fathers that we are, and that's why it's so much fun to play."

ABC Studios

9. TV clip: "Scandal" (Season Three Premiere)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 May 2013

10. Setup shot actor Scott Foley speaking to reporter

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

11. Film clip: "'Scandal' -- The Complete Second Season'" (Season Two Finale)

AP Entertainment

Beverly Hills, 4 August 2013

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Foley/Actor, on returning to "Scandal" for season three: "There had been talk about me staying on for a longer period when I first started. It was not confirmed. It was not a guarantee. And I'm glad that I'm now here."

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

13. Film clip: "'Scandal' -- The Complete Second Season'" (Season Two Finale)

AP Entertainment

Beverly Hills, 4 August 2013

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Guillermo Diaz/Actor, on what's in store for his character Huck and Katie Lowes' character Quinn : "I think, now, Huck is feeling awful about teaching Quinn about all these skills that he had. And I don't think he thought that she was going to end up loving it so much, and get so into it. And once she tortured ("The Mole") Billy Chambers, now she's just -- she's tasted blood, and she likes it."

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

15. Film clip: "'Scandal' -- The Complete Second Season'" (Season Two Finale)

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor: "It's really exciting stuff. They'll explore the relationship of father and daughter, which, I think, is a really fun place to go in the show"

ABC Studios

19. TV clip: "Scandal" (Season Three Premiere)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 18 September 2013

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor:

"So, it's been very exciting. I think people are going to be thrilled with what they're about to see. Certainly because it's (creator) Shonda Rhimes, it's not going to be anything anybody's expecting. So, have a good time everybody."

"Carrie Fisher unfortunately died today, passing away at the age of 60 and the news just comes days after she suffered a heart attack on a Transatlantic flight coming back to Los Angeles from London. She had been in the hospital ever since and the reports are and what we're hearing is that she passed away from another heart attack."

AP PHOTOS (George Brich) - AP CLIENTS ONLY / EDITORIAL USE ONLY

FILE: Los Angeles, USA - 13 November 1978

3. STILL (black and white): Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo in "Star Wars", and Fisher chat during a break in the filming of a TV special

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FILE: Los Angeles, USA - 5 October 1975

4. STILL (black and white): "Star Wars" actors (from screen-left) Ford, Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, Fisher, and Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, as they take a break from filming a television special

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"So Carrie Fisher is Princess Leia. For so many people that character has left such a lasting impression on their lives, on their childhood, on the concept of what it means to be a princess. On the concept of what it means to be a heroin. On the concept of what it means to be a woman both on-screen and off."

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FILE: Date and location unknown

7. Montage of Star Wars moments

AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY

FILE: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, USA - 13 April 2002

8. Pan photographers to various of Fisher, George Lucas, Ford and singer Geri Halliwell at BAFTA/HBO event to honour Lucas, hosted by Fisher

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FILE: Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA - 2 January 1957

9. STILL (black and white): Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds appear before the camera in their real roles of happy parents as they and their young daughter, Carrie Frances Fisher, pose for their first family group picture

"Princess Leia did so much more. I mean here was a woman who wrote several books. She also was brought in to polish a lot of very famous screenplays. She worked closely with Steven Spielberg. She wrote a book called 'Postcards from the Edge' that became a movie. It was loosely based on her own life which ended up being a big hit and was critically acclaimed. She also had a one-woman show called 'Wishful Drinking' which she then turned into a book. So she was always juggling a bunch of projects on the side, many of which were focused on writing but she was also a very gifted actress too in roles that didn't involve Princess Leia. She was nominated for an Emmy for starring in an episode of '30 Rock' alongside Tina Fey, so many people forget that too."

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"She struggled with those for many years but she found a way to write about them in such an authentic and brave way that showed the vulnerability of growing-up in a famous family but also she credits her higher power for so much – for saving her life and getting her to a place where she could look back at her life and make sense of all the chaos and madness that came along with that."

AP PHOTOS (Evan Agostini) - AP CLIENTS ONLY / EDITORIAL USE ONLY

FILE: New York, USA - 12 January 2011

14. STILL Fisher poses for media after being named new celebrity spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight loss programme

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FILE: New York, USA - 12 January 2011

15. STILL: Fisher speaks to the media about being named new celebrity spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight loss programme

"And people sometimes you know sometimes have a hard time allowing actors and actresses to age and so people were commenting on how she looked and she didn't like it as most people don't like those sorts of comments. She responded to those criticisms in a way that is uniquely and distinctly Carrie Fisher by saying, 'Youth and beauty are not accomplishments and don't hold your breath.'"

The world continues to mourn the death of their beloved Princess Leia, but Carrie Fisher's career spanned far greater than the "Star Wars" galaxy.

Fisher, a daughter of Hollywood royalty who gained pop-culture fame as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" and turned her struggles with addiction and mental illness into wickedly funny books, a hit film and a one-woman stage show, died Tuesday (27DEC2016) after falling ill aboard a flight last week. She was 60.

Fisher, the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, had been hospitalized since Friday, when paramedics responded to a report of a patient in distress at Los Angeles airport.

Fisher is definitely best remembered as the headstrong Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" in 1977, her hair styled in futuristic braided buns. She uttered the immortal phrase "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

"For so many people that character has left such a lasting impression on their lives, on their childhood, on the concept of what it means to be a princess. On the concept of what it means to be a heroin. On the concept of what it means to be a woman both on-screen and off," commented the Hollywood Reporter writer, Chris Gardner.

Before that Fisher made her feature film debut opposite Warren Beatty in the 1975 hit "Shampoo." She also appeared in "Austin Powers," ''The Blues Brothers," ''Charlie's Angels," ''Hannah and Her Sisters," ''Scream 3" and "When Harry Met Sally."

"Princess Leia did so much more," Gardner said of Fisher's career. "I mean here was a woman who wrote several books. She also was brought in to polish a lot of very famous screenplays. She worked closely with Steven Spielberg. She wrote a book called 'Postcards from the Edge' that became a movie. It was loosely based on her own life which ended up being a big hit and was critically acclaimed. She also had a one-woman show called 'Wishful Drinking' which she then turned into a book. So she was always juggling a bunch of projects on the side, many of which were focused on writing but she was also a very gifted actress too in roles that didn't involve Princess Leia. She was nominated for an Emmy for starring in an episode of '30 Rock' alongside Tina Fey, so many people forget that too."

In the past 15 years, Fisher appeared as a television guest star, perhaps most memorably as a has-been comedy legend on "30 Rock." She also supplied the voice of a recurring character on the animated "Family Guy" for the past decade.

Fisher long battled drug addiction and mental illness. She said she smoked pot at 13, used LSD by 21 and was diagnosed as bipolar at 24. She was treated with electroshock therapy and medication.

"She struggled with those for many years but she found a way to write about them in such an authentic and brave way that showed the vulnerability of growing-up in a famous family but also she credits her higher power for so much – for saving her life and getting her to a place where she could look back at her life and make sense of all the chaos and madness that came along with that," added Gardner about her personal struggles.

In 1987, her thinly veiled autobiography "Postcards From the Edge" became a best-seller. It was adapted into a 1990 movie starring Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep.

More books followed: "Delusions of Grandma," ''Surrender the Pink," ''The Best Awful," ''Shockaholic" and this year's autobiography, "The Princess Diarist," in which she revealed that she and Ford had an affair on the "Star Wars" set.

Fisher's one-woman show, "Wishful Drinking," which she had performed across the country since 2006, was turned into a book, made its way to Broadway in 2009 and was filmed for HBO in 2010.

Little was off-limits in the show. She discussed the scandal that engulfed her superstar parents (Fisher ran off with Elizabeth Taylor); her brief marriage to singer Paul Simon; the time the father of her daughter left her for a man; and the day she woke up next to the dead body of a platonic friend who had overdosed in her bed.

Then, last year she reprised her iconic role in Episode VII of the series, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Plus a digitally rendered image appears in the newest installment, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

When she returned as Princess Leia, 35 years later, some fans were very critical about how she had aged.

"She responded to those criticisms in a way that is uniquely and distinctly Carrie Fisher by saying, 'Youth and beauty are not accomplishments and don't hold your breath,'" said Gardner.

Fisher starred with her mother in a documentary set to air on HBO in 2017. "Bright Lights: Starring Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher" which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Besides her mother, Fisher is survived by her brother, Todd Fisher, and her daughter, Billie Lourd.

The civil rights drama "Selma" led all films Tuesday (9 DEC. 2014) when it collected eight nominations for the NAACP Image Awards.

The movie earned nods for outstanding motion picture; lead actor for David Oyelowo; supporting actor for Andre Holland, Common and Wendell Pierce; supporting actress for Carmen Ejogo and Oprah Winfrey; and director for Ava DuVernay.

Other films nominated for outstanding motion picture were "Belle," ''Beyond the Lights," ''Dear White People" and "Get On Up."

The 46th annual NAACP Image Awards will be presented during a Feb. 6 ceremony airing live on the TV One channel. The awards honor diversity in the arts.

Viola Davis was the most nominated performer with three nods for her work in the films "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" and "Get On Up," and the TV series "How to Get Away with Murder."

Other nominees included best movie actor contenders Chadwick Boseman for "Get On Up," Denzel Washington for "The Equalizer," Idris Elba for "No Good Deed," and Nate Parker for "Beyond The Lights."

Outstanding actress nominees were Gugu Mbatha-Raw for "Belle," Quvenzhane Wallis for "Annie," Taraji P. Henson for "No Good Deed," Tessa Thompson for "Dear White People," and Davis for "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby."

In addition to Holland, Common and Pierce, outstanding supporting actor nods went to Cedric the Entertainer for "Top Five" and Danny Glover for "Beyond The Lights."

Other nominees for outstanding supporting actress were Jill Scott, Octavia Spencer and Davis for "Get On Up."

On the television side, nominations for outstanding comedy series went to "black-ish," ''House of Lies," ''Key &amp; Peele," ''Orange is the New Black" and "Real Husbands of Hollywood."

Nods for best TV drama went to "Being Mary Jane," ''Grey's Anatomy," ''House of Cards," ''How to Get Away with Murder" and "Scandal."

The nominees for outstanding comedy series actor were Andre Braugher for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," Anthony Anderson for "black-ish," Don Cheadle for "House of Lies," Keegan-Michael Key for "Key &amp; Peele" and Kevin Hart for "Real Husbands of Hollywood."

Outstanding comedy series actress nominees were Mindy Kaling for "The Mindy Project," Niecy Nash for "The Soul Man," Tracee Ellis Ross for "black-ish," Uzo Aduba for "Orange is the New Black," and Wendy Raquel Robinson for "The Game."

Nominations for outstanding actor in a drama series went to LL Cool J for "NCIS: Los Angeles," Omar Epps for "Resurrection," Omari Hardwick for "Being Mary Jane," Shemar Moore for "Criminal Minds," and Taye Diggs for "Murder in the First."

Nominated for outstanding drama series actress were Gabrielle Union for "Being Mary Jane," Kerry Washington for "Scandal," Nicole Beharie for "Sleepy Hollow," Octavia Spencer for "Red Band Society," and Viola Davis for "How to Get Away with Murder."

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David Oyelowo says it's not just the Academy Awards that need diversifying.

"Every facet of life, whether institutions or the nation in general, should reflect what society is composed of, not just racially, but in terms of sex, women, young, old," the star of "Selma" said on the Oscar red carpet.

Although "Selma" was nominated for best movie, Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King Jr in the film, was passed over, something many considered a snub.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, star of last year's winner "12 Years A Slave," also weighed in: "It's always great to have obviously a diverse film selection. There was more of that last year and this year not so much. I for one loved 'Selma' and felt that it could've been easily represented more fully in the awards ceremonies. But these things happen."

For previous Oscars winner Octavia Spencer diversity in Hollywood "starts well before the Academy. You first have to have the product. You have to have the films made. Everyone hopes that their film ends up at the Academy, but it doesn't start there. Diversity starts when you start making the films and those decision makers need to make more diverse films."

And Viola Davis said pressure is on Hollywood's studios: "I think it's on the studios. I think you have to green light more stories that include people of color. And I think you have to use your imagination with certain characters that will include and open it up to other actors of color. Because you can't get nominated for anything that you're not in."

"Scandal" star Kerry Washington agreed.

"It's less about the Academy and more about the business in general. I think we need to be more and more inclusive about the stories we tell and the stories that we support," she said.

In Sunday's Academy Awards, all 20 acting nominees are white, a result that prompted some to declare that they would boycott this year's ceremony. The lack of nominations for "Selma" director Ava DuVernay and star David Oyelowo were a particular flashpoint, viewed by many as unjust oversights not only because they merited honoring, but because their absences furthered an ignoble Oscar history.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 22 Feb. 2015

1. Michael Keaton greets David Oyelowo on Oscars red carpet

2. SOUNDBITE (English) David Oyelowo/Actor: "I think that the thing that 'Selma' shows is that in Selma the voting system didn't reflect the community that lived in Selma. People who should be allowed to register to vote weren't because of the color of their skin. Every facet of life, whether it's institutions or just the nation in general should reflect what society is composed of. Not just racially but in terms of sex as well. Women, young, old. That's one thing I'm really proud of. That the film has brought to light the inequities in our industry and elsewhere."

3. Chiwetel Ejiofor on the red carpet

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chiwetel Ejiofor/Actor: "It's always great to have obviously a diverse film selection. There was more of that last year and this year not so much. I for one loved 'Selma' and felt that it could've been easily represented more fully in the awards ceremonies. But these things happen."

5. Octavia Spencer on red carpet

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Octavia Spencer/Actress: "It starts well before the Academy. You first have to have the product. You have to have the films made. Everyone hopes that their film ends up at the Academy, but it doesn't start there. Diversity starts when you start making the films and those decision makers need to make more diverse films."

7. Viola Davis on red carpet

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Viola Davis/Actress: "I think it's on the studios. I think you have to green light more stories that include people of color. And I think you have to use your imagination with certain characters that will include and open it up to other actors of color. Because you can't get nominated for anything that you're not in."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Carmen Ejogo/Actress: "I think all of the arts have to be conscious of all of the diversity that's out there. And that includes all award shows. And I think I um am proud to be part of the solution tonight. Being here, representing the film. I'm very proud of Selma getting 2 nominations. There's lots to be done in the future but this is a good start."

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress: "To continue to diversify the membership of the Academy is really important. And to encourage voters to show up and vote. It's less about the Academy and more about the business in general. I think we need to be more and more inclusive about the stories we tell and the stories that we support."

Before celebrating the Emmys, Kerry Washington and other TV insiders took a moment to toast diversity.

Washington was among the honorees at a pre-Emmy reception hosted Tuesday night (17 SEPT. 2013) by the television academy and the SAG-AFTRA actors union. The academy's headquarters in North Hollywood were transformed into a jet-setting soiree complete with 1960s-era furniture and mid-century modern wall sculptures.

Washington, who is up for the outstanding lead actress in a drama series trophy for "Scandal" at Sunday's ceremony, is the first black actress in nearly two decades to be nominated in the category - the last was Cicely Tyson in 1995 for "Sweet Justice."

"You know I think the thing I'm most excited about is to be a part of a show that represents diversity on so many levels," said the star. "You look at the cast of characters on our show and we represent diversity with regard to race, yes, but also with regard to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, so we really are an inclusive cast. And the fact that the show can be celebrated and that the diverse characters on our show, the character that Dan plays, the character that I play, that those characters are celebrated, that's so exciting to me because it means that our hearts are opening up about how we receive storytelling in the world."

She was joined at Tuesday's affair by her "Scandal" co-stars Joe Morton and Dan Bucatinsky, who nabbed the outstanding guest actor in a drama Emmy at Saturday's Creative Arts Emmys.

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live Sept. 22 from the Nokia Theatre with Neil Patrick Harris serving as host.

The season finale of "Scandal" revealed Morton's powerful character Rowan to be Rowan Pope, father of Washington's Olivia Pope.

Morton said show creator Shonda Rhimes will be taking the characters and viewers in the most unexpected places for season three, which begins early next month.

"I think people are going to be thrilled about what they're about to see," he said. "Because it's Shonda Rhimes it's not going to be anything anybody's expecting, so have a good time everybody."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 September 2013

1. Wide Emmy statue in front of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences building

2. Wide exterior Academy of Television Arts and Sciences building

3. Detail of Emmy-logo backdrop

4. Wide actress Kerry Washington posing for photographers

5. Pan down actress Kerry Washington's Halston Classic dress

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS)

Los Angeles, 18 July 2013

6. Emmy-telecast host Neil Patrick Harris begins reading off nominees for lead actress in a drama series

ABC Studios

7. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 18 July 2013

8. Tilt up Emmy statue

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 September 2013

9. Setup shot actress Kerry Washington speaking to reporter

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress - on making history as the first African-American actress to garner a lead-actress drama nomination this millennium, and only the fifth in 65 Emmys:

"You know I think the thing I'm most excited about is to be a part of a show that represents diversity on so many levels. You look at the cast of characters on our show and we represent diversity with regard to race, yes, but also with regard to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, so we really are an inclusive cast. And the fact that the show can be celebrated and that the diverse characters on our show, the character that Dan plays, the character that I play, that those characters are celebrated, that's so exciting to me because it means that our hearts are opening up about how we receive storytelling in the world."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor - on how "Scandal" is a model of diversity in television:

"Even just in 'Scandal' alone, we've got Shonda Rhimes running it, we've got a same sex couple which is part of the show, the lead is a black woman, I'm playing supposedly the most powerful man in the western hemisphere - none of these things could have happened 20, 25, 30 years ago."

ATAS

Los Angeles, 15 September 2013

13. Openly gay, married "Scandal" actor Dan Bucatinsky wins the Emmy as outstanding guest actor in a drama series, for playing an openly gay, married man

14. Excerpt of Dan Bucatinsky's acceptance speech

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 September 2013

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor, on the slow progress of diversity in television:

"We're living in a time now where diversity isn't quite as obvious as it isn't so in your face. Where you cast somebody of color, or latino, or gay, or any kind of diversity in a show now starts to - in a good way - starts to blend into the story."

ABC Studios

16. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 September 2013

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Bucatinsky/Actor - on his hope that Kerry Washington will make more history at Sunday's Primetime Emmy Awards, by becoming the first African American woman to ever win as best-drama actress:

"And I feel like it's an historic year, not just because of marriage equality, but because on television I think it's starting to become something that people are recognizing and I'm thrilled about it. I hope it's an historical night for other reasons too."

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress - on the award-season pundits who have picked her to win:

"You know, I'm not a gambling girl so I try not to pay attention to those sorts of things. I'm just going to go and have a really good time, I really do, honestly feel like the luckiest broad in television because no matter what happens on Sunday night, I get to go back and play this character again on Monday morning. So I'm just really going to have a good time, my parents are coming in for it, we're going to party hard and be really grateful that we get to be there."

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Morton/Actor - on what's in store for season three of "Scandal":

"It's been very exciting, I think people are going to be thrilled about what they're about to see, it's certainly because it's Shonda Rhimes it's not going to be anything anybody's expecting, so have a good time everybody."

Of all times for Kerry Washington to be left all but speechless by laryngitis.

The Thursday (5 MARCH 2015) episode of the actress's hit television drama "Scandal" received numerous strong reviews and attracted considerable media attention, and many reporters on the PaleyFest TV-festival arrivals line were itching to get the show's star to discuss it.

Titled "The Lawn Chair," the hour placed Washington's political fixer, Olivia Pope, in a middle of a story clearly inspired by the August 2014 Ferguson, Missouri police shooting of an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown.

In the episode, the police bring in Pope to diffuse a potentially explosive situation, as crowds and media surround a slain teen's distraught father who appears at the crime scene armed with a shotgun, demanding to see "the cop who shot my son."

The title refers to a lawn chair given to the father by a protester. The father then places the chair over his son to protect the boy from the elements.

Three days after "Lawn Chair" aired, the Emmy-nominated Washington posed for photographers but passed by reporters without granting interviews as she headed into the Dolby Theatre to prepare for the PaleyFest "Scandal"-cast panel discussion.

That left Washington's co-stars to speak not only for their leading lady, but also absent "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes, who was not expected to attend in the first place.

Actor Tony Goldwyn, who portrays the U.S. president and Pope's lover on the show, said the unveiling of "Lawn Chair" couldn't have more timely, "It aired, in America, on the day that the Justice Department report on Ferguson came out."

Goldwyn continued, "(The episode) is Shonda's way of tackling the national conversation we're having about Ferguson, about Eric Garner (a black man from Staten Island, New York who died after a police officer put him in a chokehold in July 2014), about the (6 MARCH 2015) shooting now (of Tony Robinson Jr., an unarmed black teenager, by a police officer) in Wisconsin, on the 50th anniversary of the Selma (Alabama voting-rights) marches (headed by, among others, Dr. Martin Luther King)."

The episode also marked a "Scandal" milestone in that it was the first to deal with Pope's race in a big way. "There's a moment when an activist says to Olivia, 'We're not validating your black card today, because you are part of the machine and you are part of the problem,'" recalled Goldwyn.

"Lawn Chair" wasn't mentioned once during the hour-long panel, hosted by late-night television presenter Jimmy Kimmel.

But it finally came up when the session was opened up to audience members, one telling Washington, that, in "Lawn Chair," "This is about as black as I've seen you on the show."

A raspy-voiced Washington responded that the episode "felt a little bit like a coming of age for Olivia," and she adding that while there have been a few moments over the series' four years where her character's race has been acknowledged, "It did feel like we have come to a point where the writers were comfortable now embracing fully this part of Olivia's identity."

6. Still image: Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in a scene from the "Scandal" episode "The Lawn Chair"

7. Still image: Courtney B. Vance as Clarence Parker, the distraught father of a teenage boy slain by a police officer in the "Scandal" episode "The Lawn Chair"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 March 2015

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Goldwyn/Actor: "This past week's episode, which we're airing tonight for this audience, is called, 'Lawn Chair,' and it, in America, on the day that the Justice Department report on Ferguson came out, ironically. And it starts with Olivia showing up at a crime scene. There was a dead young black man on the street, whose father has a shotgun, and parks a lawn chair over his dead son and defies the police. And Olivia has to deal with it."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 10 December 2014

9. "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes speaks to reporter on arrivals line at Women in Entertainment breakfast

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 March 2015

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Goldwyn/Actor: "And it really is Shonda's way of tackling the national conversation we're having about Ferguson, about Eric Garner, about the shooting now in Wisconsin, on the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches. It's just so -- she wanted to have the conversation about all these issues that are roiling the American consciousness right now.

ABC Studios

11. TV clip: "Scandal"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 March 2015

12. Setup shot actor Tony Goldwyn

ABC

13. Still image: Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in a scene from the "Scandal" episode "The Lawn Chair"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 March 2015

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Goldwyn/Actor: "There's a moment when an activist says to Olivia, 'We're not validating your black card today, because you are part of the machine and you are part of the problem. You don't get to -- and that ...'"

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Foley/Actor: "The words and the way the story is told in the script are so well done and so in your face that I was a little uncomfortable at first. And I think that's O.K. And then I was proud that I was on a show that would tackle a show like this, as timely as it was."

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Katie Lowes/Actress, on her first reaction to "The Lawn Chair" script: "Oh my gosh. You know, when we read our scripts at the table reads, we usually are really loud and crazy and raucous, and we all kind of hoot and holler at each other, and we're really excited, and a fun bunch. And this table read, it was very quiet and it had a lot of gravity to it. And people, I think, just felt like they were a part of something that was going to be very important to do."

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Guillermo Diaz/Actor, on "The Lawn Chair": "I've said before that the episode kind of levitates above all the other episodes of 'Scandal.' It doesn't really quite feel like a 'Scandal' episode. But that's O.K. it's just so special and so important for people to see."

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Bellamy Young/Actor, on why some "Scandal" conventions had to be put aside for "The Lawn Chair": "So, yeah, it felt very different, because that subject demanded respect and care and so we couldn't 'Scandal'-pace through it. And 'Give me the facts' and quick-quick-quick cuts, because it needed love and patience and attention. There was so much nuance in it."

ABC

21. Still image: Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope and Chris Mulkey as Chief Conners in a scene from the "Scandal" episode "The Lawn Chair"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 March 2015

22. Setup shot actress Darby Stanchfield

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Darby Stanchfield/Actress: "I think it just provoked a lot of conversation among our fans about the importance of the issue and the complexity of the issue and what we need to do to get beyond it and heal and progress as a nation."

Actress Kerry Washington is jumping into the fast-paced, hectic world of crisis management with her new TV drama called "scandal."

The show is from the brainchild of Shonda Rhimes who also created and executive produces 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice.' For anyone familiar with those shows, they know that Rhimes' trademark is snappy, quick dialogue which Washington says was amped up for 'Scandal.'

"We love it because it really reflects the environment that you're working. When it comes to crisis you really have to be moving faster and thinking ahead of the police, the media, the justice system you have to be constantly you know seven steps ahead of all those people and time is money so things do move very quickly but I really feel like one of the gifts of working with Shonda, one of the most extraordinary things about it is you get these scripts and it's just so good. She really understands and respects and loves the English language and she writes to me she writes kind of from she captures the rhythm of the human soul in a way."

On "Scandal," Washington plays Olivia Pope, a go to power player in Washington if you have a problem that needs fixing. The role is actually based on a real life crisis manager named Judy Smith who also serves as an executive producer on the show.

"She is one of the best in the game. She's worked with everybody from Monica Lewinsky to Michael Vick so she's a very hands on producer and she's been very generous with information not about any particular clients she's actually private about clients obviously but she's really helped all of us and me especially. I've really relied on her to help me understand how the mind of a crisis manager works and what it feels like to live and work in this high stakes environment."

Viewers will see Washington's character has a crisis of her own to deal with on the show due to a complicated relationship with the White House. Pope used to work for the President of the United States.

"The show is the new brainchild from Shonda Rhimes who of course is the genius executive producer, writer behind 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice' and this is her new baby 'Scandal.' I play Olivia Pope who is at the center of Pope and Associates and Pope and Associates is a crisis management firm so that means that for example if God forbid you had a crisis that you felt like you didn't want the media to find out about you couldn't take it to the police, you didn't want it to ever hit the justice system, the court system, you felt like you had nowhere to turn, nowhere to go because the problem was unfixable you could come to Pope and Associates and we would help you. We would solve the crisis."

AP Entertainment

New York, 9 November 2009

4. Fashion pan of Kerry Washington arriving at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 30 March 2012

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress - on how there are crisis managers in real life:

"Absolutely. The show is actually inspired by a real life crisis manager, a woman named Judy Smith who lives and works in Washington she is one of the best in the game. She's worked with everybody from Monica Lewinsky to Michael Vick so she's a very hands on producer and she's been very generous with information not about any particular clients she's actually private about clients obviously but she's really helped all of us and me especially. I've really relied on her to help me understand how the mind of a crisis manager works and what it feels like to live and work in this high stakes environment and Judy Smith actually used to work at the White House but I always say that the show is inspired by Judy but not based on Judy because Judy does do this work and she's great at it and she's a woman and she's a woman of color but she never had the kind of complicated relationship with the White House that Olivia Pope has."

"We call it 'Scandal' pace on our show because it's sort of like the traditional Shonda (Rhimes) writing amped up a lot. So we call it 'Scandal' pace and we love it because it really reflects the environment that you're working. When it comes to crisis you really have to be moving faster and thinking ahead of the police, the media, the justice system you have to be constantly you know seven steps ahead of all those people and time is money so things do move very quickly but I really feel like one of the gifts of working with Shonda, one of the most extraordinary things about it is you get these scripts and it's just so good. She really understands and respects and loves the English language and she writes to me she writes kind of from she captures the rhythm of the human soul in a way. It's so hard to articulate but she's much better at articulating it because she's a writer but she just writes so beautifully that you get these scripts and you don't want to screw it up. You just do your best to be as good as the script is written because it really is so good."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Kerry Washington/Actress, on how cast interaction with "Scandal" fans via social media has been a key part of the series' success, and how that interaction has evolved over five seasons:

"I guess it's a little bit different. But it's still a little bit intimate, and I think that's what makes it work. Social media is so interesting, because it makes the world so small. You create this tiny Gladiator community, that's actually very big, but it feels so person to person. And the fact that we've been able to maintain that and continue to do that five years in is something I think we're all really proud of."

6. "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes poses for photographers

ABC Studios

7. TV clip: "Scandal" (2016, season five)

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 15 March 2016

7. Setup shot "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Shonda Rhimes/Creator, Executive Producer, "Scandal," on the real-life U.S.-presidential race vs. the fictional one currently playing out on her series:

"Yeah, it's gotten surreal, I must say. I think when we started (writing the season), there was a bit of me that felt like, 'We're going to write a presidential election, because this one was going to be so obvious and a little bit boring. It's going to be Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, and we all know what's going to happen.' And by the time we really got into it, it is nothing like anybody thought. And it's far crazier than anything we could come up with. I mean, it's been interesting."

Courtesy Kerry Washington/Instagram

9. Still image: Actress Kerry Washington and U.S.-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on the set of "Scandal"

"Hillary had a fundraiser in the L.A. area, and I was trying to make it there and Tony (co-star Tony Goldwyn ) was trying to make it there. We were on set with a lot of other people filming. And when it looked like her event was going to end and we were still going to be on set, I said to her team, 'Why don't you guys come here?' And they did! And, so, we were so thrilled to have them. It was a big surprise for everybody. And the most surreal, hilarious moment was one time, when we were all standing around in O.P.A (Olivia Pope and Associates) and we all couldn't really tell her Secret Service from the Secret Service on the show. And we were like, 'Are you an actor or are you the real deal?' It was great."

11. Setup shot "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Shonda Rhimes/Creator, Executive Producer, "Scandal," on whether she knows how she'll wrap the story of actress Kerry Washington's character Olivia Pope, and all of "Scandal":

"'Scandal' definitely has an endgame. Olivia Pope definitely has an endgame."

(Reporter: "I won't push you.")

Rhimes: "I'm not gonna tell you. (Laughs.)"

13. Actress Kerry Washington speaks to reporter

ABC Studios

14. TV clip: "Scandal" (2016, season five)

WASHINGTON RECALLS CLINTON'S 'SCANDAL' VISIT

At PaleyFest, the Paley Center for Media's twice-a-year TV-fan festival, "Scandal" star Kerry Washington and company are in their element.

It was, as per Washington, social-media savvy "Scandal" fans -- so-called "Gladiators" -- who likely kept the show on the air in spite of lackluster first-season ratings, inspiring ABC to renew for a season two. A year-and-a-half later, the drama about Olivia Pope, a political fixer, who has an affair with the married U.S. president, was among the network's top-rated series.

Since early on, cast members of the show have tweeted live with their fans as the series airs on the east coast, and they continue the practice five years later.

"I guess it's a little bit different (now vs. the beginning)," Washington said on the arrivals line at the near-capacity event Tuesday (15 MARCH 2016) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

"But it's still a little bit intimate, and I think that's what makes it work," she continued. "Social media is so interesting, because it makes the world so small. You create this tiny Gladiator community, that's actually very big, but it feels so person to person. And the fact that we've been able to maintain that and continue to do that five years in is something I think we're all really proud of."

Show creator Shonda Rhimes said this season's "Scandal" plot, about one rollercoaster of a U.S.-presidential race, was planned long before the high political dramas currently playing out for real within both the Republican and Democratic parties.

"Yeah, it's gotten surreal, I must say," noted Rhimes. "I think when we started (writing the season), there was a bit of me that felt like, 'We're going to write a presidential election, because this one was going to be so obvious and a little bit boring. It's going to be Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, and we all know what's going to happen.' And by the time we really got into it, it is nothing like anybody thought. And it's far crazier than anything we could come up with. I mean, it's been interesting."

Fact and fiction did intersect for a few moments on the "Scandal" set in late February.

"Hillary had a fundraiser in the L.A. area," Washington explained. "And I was trying to make it there and Tony (co-star Tony Goldwyn ) was trying to make it there. We were on set with a lot of other people filming. And when it looked like her event was going to end and we were still going to be on set, I said to her team, 'Why don't you guys come here?' And they did! And, so, we were so thrilled to have them. It was a big surprise for everybody. And the most surreal, hilarious moment was one time, when we were all standing around in O.P.A (Olivia Pope and Associates) and we all couldn't really tell her Secret Service from the Secret Service on the show. And we were like, 'Are you an actor or are you the real deal?' It was great."

Rhimes and the leads of her three ABC series, Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy"), Viola Davis ("How to Get Away with Murder") and Washington appear in a recently released Goldwyn-directed video ad explaining why they support Clinton.

"Scandal's" ratings have slipped since its heyday, yet the show remains tops in its time slot's key demographic. Earlier this month, ABC announced renewal, making for a season six. So, the earliest to expect a series finale would be spring 2017.

Rhimes already knows how it all will end.

"'Scandal' definitely has an endgame," she said. "Olivia Pope definitely has an endgame."